Strata: How Many?

How many pounds did Absalom’s hair weigh after his annual haircut (2 Samuel 14:26)?

Answer: 5 pounds

According to 2 Samuel 14:26, Absalom cut his hair once a year. When weighed, his shorn locks totaled 200 shekels, which is about 5 pounds.¹ This is the same Absalom who challenged his father, King David, for the throne of the Kingdom of Israel (2 Samuel 15).

Unfortunately, Absalom’s famed hair proved to be his undoing. When passing under an oak tree while riding a mule, Absalom’s hair caught in the branches (2 Samuel 18:9). The mule kept walking, and Absalom was left hanging from the branches. When news of this reached Joab, who was the captain of David’s army, he and his armor bearers found Absalom and killed him (2 Samuel 18:14–15).